How Does Artificial Intelligence Align With Person-Centred Principles in Mental Health Nursing? A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Mental Health
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Health

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into mental health nursing.
• The alignment of AI applications with person-centred care (PCC) principles requires thorough examination.
• Tensions and risks associated with AI in mental health nursing are underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review on the alignment of AI applications in mental health nursing with PCC principles.
• To identify emerging tensions and risks in the use of AI within this context.
• To map the current evidence base and highlight research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of three electronic databases for studies published since 2018.
• Data charting included study characteristics, AI modalities, and PCC concepts addressed.
• Analysis focused on identifying gaps in research concerning AI and PCC in mental health nursing.

Main Results:

• Evidence shows increasing interest in technology-enabled care delivery, monitoring, and decision support.
• Attention to PCC values like empathy, dignity, and shared decision-making varies across AI applications.
• Significant gaps exist in ethical integration, digital therapeutic relationships, trust, surveillance, and outcome measurement.

Conclusions:

• AI adoption in mental health nursing is growing, but its integration with PCC requires careful consideration.
• Critical gaps remain in understanding how AI impacts therapeutic relationships, professional roles, and power dynamics.
• Future research must ensure AI adoption is safe, effective, ethically grounded, and aligned with humanistic nursing care.